Exploring the spectacular untouched wilderness in Ruaha National Park. Within this remote park you can enjoy walking safaris and quiet game drives away from the crowds.
Location & size:
Ruaha National Park is situated in Central Tanzania, lying between the Great Ruaha and Mzombe Rivers. At 10,000km2 in size, this is Tanzania's second largest National Park. The adjoining Rungwa-Kisigo Game Reserves combine with Ruaha National Park to form the Ruaha ecosystem.
Landscapes & vegetation:
Ruaha National Park is a relatively untouched wilderness located on a dry central plateau, with spectacular views of mountain ranges and rocky outcrops. Get a bird's eye view as you fly into the park. Ruaha is bounded by the Great Ruaha River on one side and the Mzombe River on the other, supporting an abundance of wildlife. The rivers flow through sheer orange sandstone gorges, down swirling rapids and into deep pools.
The wildlife and vegetation found in this transition zone in Ruaha National Park is a unique combination of Eastern (Acacia-Combretum) and Southern (Crachystegia) African species. Over 1500 species of plants occur in the Park, with many flowering during the long rains.
Mammals:
Wildlife in Ruaha National Park is incredible in both its numbers and variety. Ruaha is famous for having some of Africa’s largest elephant and buffalo populations. The rivers and pools are home to large numbers of hippo. Zebra and a large number of antelopes, including roan and sable antelope, and greater and lesser kudu occur within the ecosystem. These herbivores in turn support a multitude of predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah. Ruaha is one of the few parks in which relatively larger populations of African Wild Dogs remain and where we have a chance of seeing some.
Birds:
With over 400 bird species occurring here, Ruaha National Park is recognised internationally as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for migrating birds. These birds arrive in large flocks twice a year. The banks of the rivers teem with a myriad of birds including hornbills, egrets, herons, and kingfishers.
Birding in Ruaha - more info
Reptiles:
The river’s pools are inhabited by numerous crocodiles, which we will spot as we drive and walk in the Park. Other less known reptiles occurring in Ruaha National Park include the Angolan green snake, Variable skink and the endemic tiger snake. Soft-shelled pancake tortoises occur in Ruaha, literally running for cover when alarmed. These attractive tortoises are vulnerable to habitat destruction resulting from a high demand in the international pet trade.
Herping in Ruaha - more info |
